Dunsborough, Western Australia. Voted WA's top tourism town in 1999, for the sheltered waters of Geographe Bay and the ideal setting with it's quiet coves, sandy beaches, surrounding national park, nature reserves and scenic walking trails.
Many of the South West Region's fine wineries and restaurants are located just a few km's from the centre of town.
Dunsborough is situated on the west coast of Australia's South West tourist region. Dunsborough faces north to the Indian Ocean and is on the shores of Geographe Bay where the ocean is very calm and sheltered and at low tide, walking out on the sandbanks is possible.
Use the controls on the map (slide up), to zoom in for a detailed view.
HMAS Swan Dive Wreck
The largest accessible dive wreck in the Southern Hemisphere. The HMAS Swan, a 120 metre long decommissioned naval destroyer was blown up in Geographe Bay and sunk off Meelup Beach in 1997. Dives are available to the wreck which offers great viewing in the light blue waters
Sugarloaf Rock
Another example of striking coastal scenery is the area around Sugarloaf Rock. It dominates the section of coastline near Cape Naturaliste and is popular with fishermen. Calm, tranquil bays surround the rocky outcrop and are perfect for snorkelling and swimming
Protected Beaches
Another example of striking coastal scenery is the area around Sugarloaf Rock. It dominates the section of coastline near Cape Naturaliste and is popular with fishermen. Calm, tranquil bays surround the rocky outcrop and are perfect for snorkelling and swimming
Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse
Only 13km from the town, lies this Lighthouse and Maritime Museum. The tower gives excellent views of Geographe Bay and the surrounding area and also lets you discover Dunsborough's rich maritime history. If not just for the views the lighthouse is well worth a visit
Dunsborough has a moderate mediterranean climate and is affected slightly more by prevailing winds than its neighbor Busselton. With warm Summers and cool Winters, the weather is a great mixture of hot and cold temperatures throughout the year, very pleasant for a holiday. In Summer (December to February), the average maximum temperature is 30°C with an average minimum temperature of 16°C. In Winter (June to August), the average maximum temperature is 17°C with an average minimum temperature of 8°C.
The Dutch named the southern tip of the coast "Leeuwin's Land" in 1622 but did not chart the coastline to the north. On May 30, 1801, Nicholas Baudin sailed up the coast rounded Cape Naturaliste and anchored in Geographe Bay. Both locations were named after his two vessels the Geographe and the Naturaliste.
Settlement of the area occurred from the movement of settlers from Dunsborough to Busselton in the 1830s and by 1845, Castle Rock Whaling Station was in operation. The town was proclaimed in 1877 but was little more than a few shacks until the mid-1950's. The name of Dunsborough is a mystery. A rumour says it was named after an American whaler named Dunn who settled in the area during the wet season and that the area simply became known as "Dunns Burrow" (Dunsborough).
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